A benefits package
above and beyond

By Susan ShalhoubContributing Writer

Outsourcing has become more common since the economic downturn, and Banneker Industries of North Smithfield is there and ready to help busy corporations with warehousing, fulfillment, assembly, distribution, inspections and myriad other supply-chain-management functions.

Outsourcing has become more common since the economic downturn, and Banneker Industries of North Smithfield is there and ready to help busy corporations with warehousing, fulfillment, assembly, distribution, inspections and myriad other supply-chain-management functions.

Internally, one benefit that makes it a Great Place To Work: the company pays 90 percent of an individual’s UnitedHealthcare-choice-plus coverage and 100 percent Delta Dental coverage.

“Our ability to pay almost all is truly something that differentiates us from other companies. It was only up until two years ago that we paid 100 percent for dental and medical,” said Junior Jabbie, sales and marketing manager. “Senior leadership has been able to work magic and only ask team members to contribute a very small percentage, which allows us to keep growing while being able to offer such competitive packages.”

Banneker also offers on-the-spot gift cards for team members observed doing a great job, and free job-related on-site training, online training and external training.

“It’s important to Banneker that we remain as consistent across all our locations with policies and procedures, especially with those policies that by law would benefit certain individuals and not others,” Jabbie said. Though the state doesn’t require it, Banneker also offers paid or unpaid paternity leave. The company has done so since 2010, because it’s the right thing to do, Jabbie said.

Along with an on-site gym, the company also encourages walk-and-talk meetings to promote exercise. With loads of warehouses, space is no issue, said Jabbie. But “when the weather is nice, it is definitely outdoors,” he said. •

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